The word Arthritis actually refers to not just one disease, but more than 100 different diseases that affect the joints as well other parts of the body.

Often misunderstood as a disease of the elderly, arthritis strikes without regard for age. It can bring intense pain to young adults, children and even babies.

More than a quarter of a million children in the U.S. have some form of arthritis. It can start as early as infancy and will last a lifetime. Juvenile arthritis is medically different from the adult form and in many cases is more severe. It can cause joint deformities and affect a child skin, eyes and internal organs. As a national voluntary health agency, the Arthritis Foundation seeks to improve life through leadership in the prevention, control, and cure of arthritis and related diseases. Since 1948, the Foundation has spent in excess of $200 million to support more than 1,700 scientists and physicians in arthritis research programs specifically for the study of pediatric and adult rheumatic diseases. The Arthritis Foundation also provides educational research to help adults, parents and children manage their arthritis by providing a large number of community-based services nationwide to make life with arthritis easier.

Making a Difference

Each participant has a unique opportunity to train on behalf of a child or adult honoree living with the challenge of arthritis. This is an inspiring opportunity for both the participant and honoree, as they support each other through the training program, helping to close the distance to a cure.

Alexa Sutherland

Alexa Sutherland seems to be your typical 12 year old. A student in Mrs. Beilstein’s class, she always has a positive attitude. But at recess, you won’t see Alexa running around with the other kids—her arthritis makes running far too painful.

Alexa was diagnosed with JRA at 15-months-old.  Now age 12, she finds herself unable to participate in P.E. with the rest of her class.  Alexa can’t even go on long walks.  With chronic stomachaches, headaches, and joint pain, she relies on twice-daily shots to manage her arthritis.  But Alexa doesn’t let that get her down.

Alexa has attended the Arthritis Foundation’s Camp Esperanza in the San Bernardino Mountains where she was able to do all the fun things a typical camper would do—horseback riding, swimming, and arts and crafts, to name a few.  She also went to the Arthritis Foundation’s Family Camp in Lake Hughes, California with her parents, which was both a fun and eye-opening experience for the family.  Alexa’s dad, Sean Caro, will be riding in the CCC in Alexa’s honor.

 Alex Sutherland

Laurie Miller

Laurie Miller, jokes to her friends that hospitals are her second home.  But she’s not really joking.  At age 12, Laurie was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and she’s lived with chronic pain every day since.

As a child, Laurie was very active: climbing trees, running track and participating in gymnastics.  But at 12, she noticed that she woke up stiff and sore every morning.  By the time she was diagnosed with JRA, she could barely walk because of the extreme pain in her feet.  “Sometimes the pain got so bad that all I could do was lay in a fetal position and cry, wanting it to stop,” said Laurie.

Arthritis took an emotional, as well as physical, toll on Laurie’s life.  She missed school for months at a time due to medications and surgeries.  “Nobody really knew how to help me emotionally,” said Laurie.  “I had a lot of shame because I couldn’t move like my friends could.”  But the shame has started to lessen ever since Laurie became involved with the Arthritis Foundation.

Laurie admits that she still has tough days, physically and emotionally, but that the Arthritis Foundation has helped to give her life a purpose. “I want to get the message out that this disease does not just affect the elderly,” said Laurie. “That’s what I thought until I woke up and was faced with the biggest challenge of my life.” Laurie has participated in the California Coast Classic multiple time and is an inspiration for us all.

Laurie Miller

Phyllis Shlecter

Phyllis Shlecter had a great life: a successful career as a school teacher, a loving husband and a healthy body.  But very quickly, that all changed. 

One afternoon, while playing a match of doubles tennis with Phyllis and friends, her husband had a heart attack and passed away.  The shock and grief of losing her husband brought on sudden and debilitating joint pain and sent her to a rheumatologist, who gave her a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.  The pain in her legs and feet eventually became so severe that she couldn’t climb the stairs of the New York City public school where she taught. 

She eventually retired and moved to Los Angeles.  She has had both knees and one hip replaced.  She became active with the Arthritis Foundation because she wanted other people who suffer from arthritis to know that they aren’t alone. 

 Laurie Miller